For people in Canada with loved ones abroad, the pandemic has meant long separations and much uncertainty about when they will be able to hug family and friends again. Now that travel restrictions are being lifted, many are reuniting with their relatives. For others, continued restrictions and health risks force them to wait a little longer. CBC Radio’s special The Same Boat explores how people with close ties in other countries have managed to stay connected, two years after the pandemic. Last year, producers Idil Mussa and Jennifer Chen spoke with people across the country and heard about how they find creative and joyful ways to keep their relationships strong, even long distance. This spring, they revisited some of those stories to hear about their progress.

Mother and son reunite in Halifax

In May 2021, Yuanyuan Zhou was a young mother living in Ottawa studying for a diploma in early childhood education at Algonquin College. She had a 10-month-old baby named Vincent and her husband worked in a Chinese restaurant. The rest of her family, including her seven-year-old son, Yudao Bai, was in Shandong, China, 11,000 kilometers away. She had planned to go visit him after she gave birth to her baby. The pandemic made that impossible. “Every plan was ruined because of COVID-19,” Zhou said. At that time, the absence of her eldest son affected her deeply. “We talk via video twice a day. Every day he asks us when we will come back to take care of him,” she said. In the last year, her life has seen big changes. She graduated from her program and got a full-time job at a daycare center in Halifax. Last fall, she secured a visa for her oldest son, and in December, Yuntao — whose English name is Damello — boarded a plane and made the long trip to Nova Scotia. Yuanyuan Zhou’s two sons, Yuntao and Vincent Bai, in Halifax. Yuntao, whose English name is Damello, came from Shandong, China to live with his family in December 2021. (Submitted by Yuanyuan Zhou) “When I first saw him, I gave him a big hug. I tried to pick him up, but I couldn’t,” she said. “He’s taller and heavier than before.” She says her first words in person were, “Are you cold?” and “Do you miss mommy?” They went out that afternoon to buy a winter coat and boots. Zhou’s parents remain in China and she said it was difficult for them to be away from Yuntao. “I will take my children back to China to visit my parents. That is the hope for next year.”

Drought and inflation drive Alberta man’s family to Somalia

The pandemic hasn’t been easy for Abdul Awad in Fort McMurray, who has built a career in Alberta’s oil and gas industry. He came as a refugee from Somalia 20 years ago and regularly sends money to family and friends back home to help them survive. “Growing up in Somalia, I remember there were no… social programs [or] government agencies,” he said, “People are left alone. “They have nowhere to go. So they call us – these friends, family members who are here or elsewhere and the diaspora for help.” Abdul Awad fled Somalia more than 20 years ago and came to Canada as a refugee. Now living in Fort McMurray, he regularly sends money back home to friends and family to support them. (Submitted by Abdul Awad) In 2021, his hours were cut and he saw fewer job opportunities — and he wasn’t alone. “A lot of people lost their jobs, a lot of companies [were] not hiring”. This year, Awad has more regular work, but it’s not the same as it was before the pandemic. He says he sometimes had to rely on his credit card to make remittance payments to family and friends who depend on him for financial support.
Not contributing is not an option, he says. Many of his nomadic relatives – and their herds – have been hit hard by some of the worst drought conditions in decades in the Horn of Africa. Awad is looking forward to better times ahead, despite the challenges in Somalia, along with the rising cost of living and the downturn in Alberta’s oil and gas industry. “We’re still hoping that, you know, prices will come down and new locations will open and be built. I think we’re all optimistic here that things will just pick up and people will find work.”

Maintaining connections in war and turmoil

In the last year, we have also seen many upheavals beyond the pandemic. The Taliban took control of Afghanistan and Canada promised to resettle 40,000 refugees. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February, Canada has taken in more than 40,000 Ukrainians. Nelly Dubova left Odessa, Ukraine on Feb. 24, the day Russia invaded Ukraine, and now calls Winnipeg home. It supports children who have recently arrived from Ukraine as they settle into their new lives. “It’s a great honor to help the kids who come here.” Neli Dubova came to Winnipeg in April 2022 to escape the war in Ukraine. It helps Ukrainian children to settle in the province. (Submitted by Neli Dubova) It was hard to connect with her family when she first came to Canada, she said. Dubova has seven siblings and some of them decided to stay in Ukraine, along with her parents. She says she felt guilty, like she “betrayed them,” even though they chose to stay. Dubova says the Canadians have given her a warm welcome. “We feel like family here. This family that hosted us, we feel like home.” Elijah Konguavi returned home to Namibia to visit his mother, Maii, on the family farm in the spring of 2022. (Submitted by Elijah Konguavi)

Here are some updates from other people and stories featured on The Same Boat: THEN: In Edmonton, Elijah Konguavi dreamed of the day he could take his three children back to his family farm in Namibia. NOW: Earlier this year, Konguavi visited his family home near the Gobabis and brought all his young children (ages zero to five, including a new addition this spring). He says the cubs have gained a “sense of belonging” by spending time with his mother, Mai, as well as the farm’s cattle, sheep and more than 1,000 chickens. After the death of two close relatives in 2020, Christine Ajok is now able to see family and friends in her South Sudanese community in Saskatchewan to help support her loss. He is pictured here, in the center. with her daughter, Proscy, right, and her son Mathew, left. (Submitted by Christine Ajok) THEN: During the pandemic, Saskatoon resident Christine Ajok lost a sister in South Sudan and a brother in the United States, and the local South Sudanese community couldn’t come together to help her grieve, leaving her feeling alone and isolated. She could not find a job, which made it difficult for her to support her daughter and son. NOW: This spring, Ajok found a temporary job and was able to personally connect with family and friends in Saskatchewan. She says her two children give her hope: “My children, every day, keep me going.” Ben Clitherow returned to London in 2022 to introduce his son Silas, far right, to nephews Lucas, Jack, Jesse and Ben. (Submitted by Ben Clitherow) THEN: How do you stay connected to nine-year-old boys when you’re an ocean away? Video games. Toronto resident Ben Clitherow took out his game console to hang out with his twin nephews in London, England. NOW: The easing of restrictions allowed Clitheroe to fly back to London and see his family in March — and meet his son. This time, his nephews were more into the Wordle word game and took advantage of some quality time, playing a lot of football. Min Hui walks with her daughter, Chloe, in Ottawa. Now almost two years old, Chloe is thriving and Hui, a recent college graduate, is looking for a job. (Submitted by Min Hui) THEN: As an international student in Ottawa and mother of a newborn, Min Hui felt lonely, “anxious and upset” during the pandemic lockdown. She had applied for a visa so her mother in Shaanxi, China, could help for a year, but COVID-19 kept them apart. NOW: Hui’s mother got her visa in April 2021 and arrived last October. Although it hasn’t been an easy adjustment, she’s glad her mother is here. Hui put her studies on hold to take care of baby Chloe, but eventually, after another year of online classes, she got her diploma in person.